We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Shawnda Dorantes a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Shawnda, thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?
Growing up we always worked. And I mean us kids too. We had a family business and it was expected that we all helped. I never viewed my family as being poor or hard up. We just had to work. That was just our way of life. My dad was in the Marine Corps and started his days early, and ended super late going to his part time jobs in the evening while my mom was in school full time and worked part time. And on the weekends the whole family worked. I didn’t get to play sports, rarely could attend friend’s birthday parties or hang out on the weekends because I had to work. My parents told me later as an adult what the family’s financial situation really was and we were quite literally working to survive. My dad always would tell me, “no one is going to give it to you. Work hard and you’ll get it.” I always joke I have been working hard my whole damn life and I really have. I’m very goal oriented and push my self to succeed and excel, because I simply want to be the best at what I do. I have witnessed first hand over and over all that I have been capable of achieving when I work hard and push myself. I’m literally living the dream. And I have my parents to thank for that.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am a entrepreneur and founder of Beauty Lounge Medical Spa a multi-award wining medical aesthetics practice in San Marcos, Calif., a suburb of San Diego. I am an Aesthetic Nurse Practitioner, Master Nurse Injector, and Published Beauty Expert. As a powerful force in the beauty industry for the past 15 years and a registered nurse of over 12 years, my tailored expertise and innovative service offerings have paved the way for Beauty Lounge’s proven success. With an impressive 35,000 followers on Instagram, we are best known for its non-surgical PDO thread lifts and minimally invasive lip and nose transformations. Beauty Lounge’s service offerings include botox, fillers, laser treatments, microneedling, non-surgical facelifts, body contouring, teeth whitening, and results-driven skin care treatments.
I’m passionate about the field of aesthetic medicine. I love immerse myself in all things aesthetics. I make it a priority to read a medical journal every night and try to attend a conference or training every month. What I love most about my job is the relationships I form with my patients. Many whom I have known five plus years. It is such a joy to watch them grow and blossom over the years. I really strive to create a that girl friend/bestie experience with all my patients as it is a long a term relationship with your injector. I love to teach and enjoy training others in aesthetics throughout the US. I also hope to be a clinical educator at my alma mater one day. My husband and I are also very passionate about philanthropy and enjoy giving back to our community.
I was recently recognized as a “Top 100 Best Aesthetic Injector in America” in the Best Aesthetic Injectors in America’s National Directory of Recommended Provider. In 2021 and 2022, Beauty Lounge won four of San Diego Union Tribune’s “San Diego’s Best” Reader’s Poll awards for best: “Medical Spa,” “Cosmetic Dermatology Individual: Shawnda Dorantes, MSN, FNP-C,” “Cosmetic Dermatology Office,” and “Day Spa,” in addition to their 2022 Reader’s Poll awards for best: “Beauty Services: Nonmedical,“ and “Cosmetic Surgery: Group.” In 2021, I was honored in San Diego Metro Magazine for their “Women of Influence” and top “40 Under 40” awards. San Diego Business Journal announced me as a finalist for three of their 2021 prestigious community awards, “Rising CEO of the Year,” “40 Next Top Business Leaders Under 40,” and “Business Women of the Year.” In 2022, San Diego Business Journal I had the honor of receiving the “Top 50 Latino Leaders of Influence,” In the fall of 2022, Ranch & Coast honored Beauty Lounge as a winner of their Best of Fashion & Beauty 2022 Medical Spa.
In ongoing support of the San Marcos community, Beauty Lounge supports their local youth sports by serving as a team sponsor and regularly donates to neighborhood football programs. Always committed to philanthropy, I participated in a medical mission providing medical aid to remote villages throughout Cusco, Peru, with Flying Doctors of America in 2017. In 2022, she made generous silent auction donations to Father Joe’s Villages’ 37th Annual Children’s Charity Gala and San Diego Food Bank’s 10th annual Chefs, Cork & Craft Gala: Hang Ten. As a big proponent of continued education, I assisted Del Norte High School make their Biomedical Pathway Program graduation ceremony extra special by donating the funds for each graduating student to receive an embroidered white lab coat. In honor of Mother’s Day, Beauty Lounge partnered with the San Diego chapter of the national charitable Latinx organization, MANA, to provide nine deserving with complimentary pampering facials.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
In my journey, three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge stood out as particularly impactful: resilience, adaptability, and continuous learning. These attributes have been instrumental in overcoming challenges, seizing opportunities, and growing as an individual. For those who are early in their journey, I offer the following advice on how to develop and improve these qualities.
1. Resilience: Resilience is the ability to bounce back from setbacks, navigate adversity, and maintain a positive mindset. To develop resilience, it is essential to cultivate self-awareness and emotional intelligence. Understand your strengths and weaknesses, acknowledge your emotions, and practice self-care. Build a support system of mentors, friends, and family who can offer guidance and encouragement. Set realistic goals and celebrate small victories along the way. Remember that setbacks are not failures but learning experiences that can fuel personal growth.
2. Adaptability: In today’s rapidly changing world, adaptability is crucial. It is the ability to embrace change, be flexible, and thrive in new and uncertain situations. To enhance adaptability, develop a growth mindset. Embrace challenges as opportunities for growth rather than obstacles. Seek out diverse experiences that expose you to different perspectives and ways of thinking. Embrace technology and continuously update your skills to stay relevant. Emphasize versatility and be open to taking on new roles or responsibilities. Cultivate a curiosity-driven approach to learning, and be willing to step outside your comfort zone to embrace change.
3. Continuous Learning: In a dynamic world, knowledge becomes obsolete quickly. Continuous learning is vital for personal and professional development. To foster a habit of lifelong learning, prioritize curiosity and intellectual curiosity. Be open to new ideas, seek out different viewpoints, and actively engage in learning opportunities. Read widely, attend seminars, take courses, and participate in workshops to broaden your knowledge base. Embrace constructive feedback and view it as an opportunity for growth. Cultivate critical thinking and problem-solving skills by actively seeking challenges and analyzing different solutions. Emphasize the process of learning rather than focusing solely on outcomes.
In summary, developing resilience, adaptability, and a commitment to continuous learning will prove invaluable throughout your journey. These qualities enable you to navigate challenges, embrace change, and keep growing. Cultivate self-awareness, seek support from mentors, and practice self-care to develop resilience. Foster a growth mindset, embrace new experiences, and stay versatile to enhance adaptability. Prioritize curiosity, engage in lifelong learning opportunities, and embrace challenges to foster continuous learning. By nurturing these qualities, you will be well-equipped to thrive in your journey and adapt to whatever comes your way.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
Feeling overwhelmed is a common experience, especially when faced with a multitude of tasks, responsibilities, or challenges. However, there are several strategies and practices that can help alleviate the feeling of overwhelm and restore a sense of balance and control. Here are some effective approaches to consider:
1. Take a step back and assess: When overwhelmed, it’s important to take a moment to pause and assess the situation. Identify the specific tasks, deadlines, or factors contributing to your overwhelm. Break down the tasks into smaller, more manageable steps. Prioritize them based on urgency and importance. By gaining clarity and organizing your thoughts, you can create a roadmap to tackle the overwhelming situation systematically.
2. Practice self-care: Engaging in self-care activities is vital to manage overwhelm. Take breaks, get sufficient sleep, eat nutritious meals, and engage in regular physical exercise. These practices contribute to your overall well-being and help you maintain energy levels and focus. Additionally, incorporating mindfulness or relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing exercises, meditation, or journaling, can help calm the mind and reduce stress.
3. Seek support: Reach out to a trusted friend, family member, or mentor when feeling overwhelmed. Discussing your concerns and seeking their perspective can provide clarity and offer valuable insights. Additionally, consider delegating tasks or seeking assistance when possible. Asking for help does not indicate weakness but rather an understanding of your limitations and a desire to manage your responsibilities effectively.
4. Break tasks into smaller steps: Overwhelming tasks can become more manageable by breaking them down into smaller, actionable steps. Focus on completing one step at a time, rather than fixating on the entire task. Celebrate each completed step, as it will create a sense of progress and motivation.
5. Practice time management: Implementing effective time management techniques can help reduce overwhelm. Prioritize tasks based on importance and urgency. Consider utilizing productivity tools, such as calendars, to-do lists, or project management software, to plan and organize your workload. Allocate specific time blocks for different activities and avoid multitasking, as it can contribute to increased stress and reduced efficiency.
6. Embrace saying “no”: Learn to establish healthy boundaries by saying “no” to additional commitments or tasks that you cannot reasonably manage. Recognize that it is okay to prioritize your well-being and focus on the most essential responsibilities. By setting clear boundaries, you can prevent overload and maintain a healthier work-life balance.
7. Practice self-compassion: Be kind to yourself and practice self-compassion when feeling overwhelmed. Recognize that it is normal to experience overwhelm at times, and it does not diminish your abilities or worth. Treat yourself with understanding, patience, and self-care. Avoid self-criticism and instead focus on self-encouragement and positive affirmations.
Remember that overcoming overwhelm is a journey, and different strategies work for different individuals. Explore and experiment with various techniques to find what resonates with you. Be proactive in implementing these strategies, and remember that seeking support from professionals, such as therapists or coaches, is also an option when overwhelm persists or becomes chronic. By developing resilience and implementing effective coping mechanisms, you can navigate overwhelming situations with greater ease and maintain overall well-being.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.beautyloungesanmarcos.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/beautynursepractitioner
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/beautyloungesanmarcos
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawnda-dorantes-1b684a47/
